Strep Cultures - Variances in Accuracy

[Seansmom]

Just a couple of comments on strep cultures based on experiences.

 

Several members of my family and my son have had negative in-office strep cultures, but...when those same cultures were sent out and allowed to grow at the lab they were positive!!!

 

I always insist the strep culture always be sent for lab analysis - and I don't wait for the doctor's office to call me with the results! I call them. On at least one occasion they did not call me with the results until three days after they had them back!!!

 

I've also had the experience where the culture was negative and a repeat culture a few days later was positive!!!

 

My son will actually exhibit classic strep symptoms - in his case, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, sometimes runny nose - 24 to 48 hours before he will test positive for strep.

 

If you ever doubt the accuracy of a strep test - retest!!!